Maximise your 2026 annual leave with these UK bank holiday hacks.

Find out what days to book off from work in 2026 to grab the maximum amount of time off, using the least amount of your annual leave allowance.

Once the year is properly underway and work routines settle back in, many of us start looking ahead to the next proper break. The reality of a five-day working week can feel relentless, which is why planning your annual leave early can make such a difference to your work-life balance.

By using UK bank holidays strategically, it’s possible to take extended breaks while using far fewer annual leave days than you might expect. This works best for full-time workers who don’t usually work weekends, as you can link weekends, bank holidays, and booked leave into longer blocks of time off.

Below is a practical guide to the key dates still available in 2026, showing how to get the maximum time away from work while using the minimum amount of annual leave.

Below is a guide to the key dates to book off work, giving you the maximum number of days off with the minimum number of annual leave days! 

Easter annual leave hack 2026

Easter is well-positioned in early April in 2026, making it one of the most efficient times of year to take a longer break.

Good Friday falls on Friday, 3rd April, with Easter Monday on Monday, 6th April.

If you book Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th, and Friday 10th April off, you can create a 10-day break with only four days of annual leave. This gives you a proper spring reset without denting your holiday allowance too much.

For many people, Easter offers a good balance between time off and cost, as prices can still be lower than peak summer holidays.

May bank holiday annual leave hacks

May is one of the best months of the year for stretching your annual leave, thanks to having two bank holidays.

The early May bank holiday falls on Monday, 4th May 2026. By booking Tuesday 5th through to Friday 8th May, you can enjoy nine consecutive days off, including the weekends on either side, using just four days of annual leave.

Later in the month, the spring bank holiday lands on Monday, 25th May 2026. Booking Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th, Thursday 28th, and Friday 29th May gives you another nine-day break for four days of leave.

If you use both May options, you’ll have taken 18 days off work in total, using only eight days of annual leave. For many people, this is where a large chunk of the year’s holiday allowance delivers the most significant return.

Summer bank holiday annual leave hack

The summer bank holiday takes place on Monday, 31st August 2026.

If you book Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd, Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th September off, you’ll get nine days away from work in one block, using four days of annual leave.

This works particularly well if you want a late summer break or a breather before the autumn workload begins. It can also be a good option for people who find peak August prices too expensive earlier in the month.

Christmas and New Year annual leave 2026

Christmas in 2026 is especially generous for annual leave planning.

Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25th December. Because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the substitute bank holiday is on Monday, 28th December.

If you book Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th, then Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st December, you’ll use six days of annual leave and receive 17 consecutive days off, running from Saturday 19th December through to Sunday 3rd January.

This is one of the longest possible breaks you can get all year for a relatively small amount of leave, making it ideal for family time, travel, or simply switching off properly.

Things to keep in mind before booking

These dates do not always align neatly with school holidays. If you have children, it’s important to check term dates before committing to anything, as being able to take time off work does not automatically mean children can be taken out of school.

It’s also worth remembering that bank holiday periods are often peak times for travel, accommodation, and attractions. While these hacks maximise time off, they do not always minimise cost. In some cases, using similar tactics just outside peak periods can be better value.

Booking early is key. Popular bank holiday weeks can be oversubscribed at work, and employers can refuse leave if too many people request the same dates.

Frequently asked questions about annual leave and bank holidays in 2026

How can I maximise my annual leave in 2026? Book annual leave around UK bank holidays and weekends. This allows you to turn a small number of leave days into longer breaks, often nine days or more.

What are the best months to take annual leave in 2026? May, August, and December are the strongest months. May has two bank holidays, August offers an easy nine-day break, and Christmas 2026 allows for an exceptionally long break using limited leave.

How many days off can I get at Easter 2026 By booking four days off after Easter Monday, you can get 10 consecutive days away from work.

Is it better to take annual leave around bank holidays? You get more consecutive time off, but costs can be higher. It’s best if your priority is time rather than saving money on travel.

How many days off can I get at Christmas 2026? You can get up to 17 consecutive days off by using six days of annual leave, thanks to how the dates fall.

Do bank holidays count as annual leave? No. Bank holidays are usually separate from your annual leave entitlement, unless your employment contract states otherwise.

Are bank holidays the same across the UK? Not always. England and Wales share most dates, but Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional or different bank holidays, so always double-check local dates.

Can my employer refuse annual leave on these dates? Yes. Employers can refuse requests based on business needs or staffing levels, especially around popular bank holiday periods.

Is it cheaper to avoid bank holidays when booking time off? Often, yes. If cost matters more than consecutive days off, taking leave outside peak bank holiday periods can be cheaper.